On paper, this was a dead rubber — Türkiye already eliminated, the United States already secured atop Group A. Yet the two sides produced one of the most electric nights of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, delivering 90 breathless minutes at Los Angeles Stadium in front of a capacity crowd that included some of Hollywood's biggest names.

An early US lead sets the tone

Mauricio Pochettino named a heavily rotated XI, with Weston McKennie the only regular starter to retain his place — and his captain's armband. Despite the changes, the hosts wasted no time making their presence felt. Sebastian Berhalter swung in a corner that Auston Trusty controlled at the far post before sliding home the opener.

Türkiye refused to fold. Arda Güler combined with Barış Alper Yılmaz in a move of real quality, and the Real Madrid midfielder punished the USMNT's second-string backline with a composed finish to level proceedings. It was Vincenzo Montella's side's first goal in 63 shots across the tournament — and it gave them belief.

An end-to-end battle in Southern California

What followed was a ferocious, high-tempo affair that neither side treated as meaningless. Tackles flew in, chances were carved out at both ends, and the atmosphere inside the stadium crackled with intensity. Berhalter was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after a dangerous studs-up challenge on Salih Özcan — a let-off that galvanised the Turks rather than subdued them.

Orkun Kökçü punished that leniency almost immediately, finishing off a fluid team move to put Türkiye ahead. The USA hit back through Berhalter again, who struck a long-range thunderbolt after a long throw-in routine to make it 2-2.

Özcan and Uzun send Türkiye out on a high

With the clock in the red, Özcan looped a cross into the box that found Can Uzun, who threaded a deft pass through Matt Turner's legs. Though three USMNT defenders were present, it was Türkiye's own Kaan Ayhan who got the decisive touch, firing into the net for a 3-2 victory.

The result was a fitting reward for a Türkiye side that showed the clinical edge in front of goal that had been absent in their two previous fixtures. They leave their first FIFA World Cup in 24 years with heads held high, a performance that signals the beginning of something promising for this generation.

USA look ahead to Bosnia & Herzegovina

For the United States, the defeat will not derail their knockout ambitions, though Trusty leaving the field late on with a calf injury is a concern heading into the round of 32. Pochettino's side showed depth and determination even with a rotated squad, and the positive momentum built through the group stage remains largely intact.

The USA travel north to Santa Clara on July 1 to face Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32.